After the storm that night, "Xiao Yanzhou" no longer needed to avoid Xie Hengwu.
Just like before, "Xiao Yanzhou" summoned her to Zichen Palace when she was free, and then the two of them sat opposite each other, feeling at ease with each other.
Occasionally, Xie Hengwu was bored and made some provocative remarks to him. He looked at "Xiao Yanzhou" with satisfaction and looked annoyed but unable to do anything to her. During such quarrels, Zhao Quan would often withdraw and escape.
Life looks calm on the surface, but it is not peaceful.
Xie Hengwu had actually vaguely guessed what Xiao Yanzhou was doing, so he was lying if he said he wasn't worried. Since he concealed his identity, he faced hundreds of thousands of times more danger.
If something happened to Xiao Yanzhou, her situation would be dire.
This worry cannot be expressed in words, and it can only be relieved by watching "Xiao Yanzhou" jump in anger.
She believed that there must be a secret way of communicating between them, and "Xiao Yanzhou" still had time to see her, so it would go smoothly.
But things didn't go smoothly for Xiao Yanzhou.
The news that the Minister of Industry was going was obvious. After arriving in Qingzhou, he was naturally welcomed warmly by the Qingzhou prefect.
The prefect had a positive attitude and was very cooperative. After an inspection by the Minister of Industry, he found out a few bullies.
But everyone knows that this is just a gangster who was dragged out to take the blame. The real person behind the scenes is hidden deeper.
The snowstorm is so serious, it is suspicious that the Qingzhou Prefecture can still provide many rare treats.
After finding out those people who were apparently sent out, the Minister of Industry had no intention of leaving. He even started to investigate more fiercely, and he seemed determined not to give up.
The person behind the scenes was probably anxious and knocked unconscious a Yanguan who came with the minister.
This was done by the brother of the gangster who was imprisoned, and the motive was obvious, just waiting for an opportunity to take revenge.
But this is an obvious demonstration.
The Minister of Industry was furious and his attitude became even tougher. Seeing that something was wrong, the governor of Qingzhou finally couldn't bear it anymore and secretly summoned Xiao Yanzhou.
He could see that this was the most valued staff member of the Minister of Industry. If he could convince him, he would get twice the result with half the effort.
Naturally, Xiao Yanzhou refused at first, and the Qingzhou prefect also anticipated this, and used many threats and inducements. So naturally, Xiao Yanzhou "rebelled".
The other party didn't completely trust him, but he had to reveal something in order to take advantage of him. Xiao Yanzhou took advantage of this and collected a lot of evidence.
The other party was cautious and kept a close eye on him. Xiao Yanzhou was unable to send the message back to Beijing in time, and "Xiao Yanzhou" could only wait and see what would happen.
--
New Year's Eve is approaching, the palace is decorated with red makeup, and the faces of the palace residents are also filled with joy.
"Xiao Yanzhou" finally received new instructions.
The evidence in Qingzhou is conclusive, all pointing to the Zhang family, the most powerful person under the Shen family.
And the Shen family happens to be the family that has the deepest connection with the Cui family.
It goes without saying who supports him.
One of Zhang's sons worked in Qingzhou and pocketed all the disaster relief money. He divided some of it to manage the officials. With Shen Cui behind him, no one dared to touch it.
Even a high-ranking Beijing official like the Minister of Industry came forward. Since the bribery failed, Zhang actually wanted to let him die here.
In Qingzhou, the Zhang family is like a local emperor.
If Xiao Yanzhou hadn't followed him secretly this time, I'm afraid the Minister of Industry might have capsized in the gutter.
And Zhang will pay the price for his arrogant behavior.
The elites brought by Xiao Yanzhou had secretly captured the people in power of the Zhang family and escorted them back to Beijing first, catching the Shen family by surprise.
It would be best if the Cui family could also be dug out.
But Xiao Yanzhou had no illusions about this. Even if the two families had a private deal, Shen would not dare to sell Cui.
On the horseback ride back to Beijing, Xiao Yanzhou leaned against the soft cushions and closed his eyes to rest. The Minister of Industry was still sitting opposite him, but he was no longer as formal as when he set out.
During this trip, Xiao Yanzhou, as an emperor, had often put himself in danger, which made him look like a mascot for an official who was steadfast in his power.
The Minister of Industry felt guilty and changed his views on Xiao Yanzhou.
In fact, Xiao Yanzhou looked violent and unruly, but he knew very well what was going on in the court. The people he killed were all people who deserved to die.
However, due to the excessive brutality of the methods, people's focus has been diverted.
It turns out that the Minister of Industry believed that today's emperor's methods are excessive, and even if he is doing the right thing, in the long run, he will definitely go astray.
But after this time, he didn't think so anymore.
The Minister of Industry himself was slightly injured, let alone how they would treat Xiao Yanzhou, who was just a "staff member".
He knew that Xiao Yanzhou looked fine, but in fact he had just missed danger several times. The people of the Zhang family were all desperate to cover up what happened in Qingzhou. If they were not careful, Xiao Yanzhou might have died.
How many emperors have been willing to risk their lives for the people throughout the ages?
The more the minister of the Ministry of Industry thought about it, the more he felt like this. He was excited and moved at the same time, and his eyes were as hot as if there was something real, forcing Xiao Yanzhou to speak.
"If you look at me like that again, I'll gouge your eyes out."
The cold and ruthless voice and cruel sentences reflect Xiao Yanzhou's style everywhere.
The Minister of Industry quickly withdrew his gaze and stared at his knees.
Change your outlook, change your outlook, and be timid when you should be cowardly.
—
Two days before New Year's Eve, "Xiao Yanzhou" said he wanted to pray for the people, so he left the palace and went to the national temple.
Xie Hengwu didn't know that Xiao Yanzhou had sent the letter, but after hearing the news, his heart dropped slightly.
"Xiao Yanzhou" would not leave the palace rashly. This must be because Xiao Yanzhou is coming back.
He made the illusion of leaving the palace, just enough to confuse some people.
Xie Hengwu was happy to cooperate with him. On the day the royal chariot left the palace, she followed Queen Mother Cui and watched the black nine-dragon sedan leave the palace gate from a distance.
Praying for blessings is not Xiao Yanzhou's style at all.
She watched the sedan chair getting smaller and smaller, and thought silently in her heart.
After respectfully seeing off the imperial chariot, everyone returned to the palace.
"Xiao Yanzhou" only left the palace for just two days. If Queen Mother Cui did anything during this period, it would be very obvious.
Xie Hengwu thought the same way, thinking that these two days should pass peacefully.
Unexpectedly, as soon as "Xiao Yanzhou" left, the people from Shou'an Palace set foot on Shicui Palace.
"Beauty, the Queen Mother invites you."
The person who came to deliver the message was the nanny next to the Queen Mother. She said with a smile, and the surface respect was vaguely threatening.
Xie Hengwu didn't have the right to refuse, so he just smiled and agreed: "Please wait a moment, mama, I'll go change my clothes."
Mammy nodded slightly and stood outside the palace door. Although he didn't say anything, the aggressive tone was already there.
Xie Hengwu actually didn't need to dress up. He just wanted to find some buffer time for himself.
I don’t know what Queen Mother Cui wants to do, but it’s definitely not a good thing to look for her at this time of year.
With this in mind, Xie Hengwu opened the dowry with ease, took out a few pieces of jewelry gifted by Empress Dowager Cui and put them on.
After rummaging around, she dug out the red coral bracelet that Li Luo had put away that day.
This bracelet should be the most valuable of the rewards given by Queen Mother Cui.
Xie Hengwu weighed it again and again, but still didn't put it on. He just hid the bracelet and the brocade handkerchief wrapped around it in his sleeve.
If Empress Dowager Cui wanted to make things difficult for her, it would not be too late for her to put it on quietly.
Mammy didn't wait too long. When she saw Xie Hengwu coming out, her expression was also light.
"Beauty, please come with me."
After saying this, Mammy turned around and left, and Xie Hengwu had to quickly follow her.
After boarding the carriage, Xie Hengwu opened the sedan curtain and took a look outside, but found that it was not the direction to Shou'an Palace.
She was silent and looked out through the opened gap. She could see her grandma walking beside her unhurriedly.
Xie Hengwu didn't ask any more questions after all.
Since we sent the nanny here, who knows if there is anyone else in the dark place.
In front of Queen Mother Cui, she was a cowardly and stupid beauty.
Even if she found that there was a problem with the direction, she would not dare or would ask out loud.
Xie Hengwu silently lowered the sedan curtain, closed his eyes and rested inside.
The sedan chariot shook and shook, making her drowsy.
I don’t know how much time passed, but the sedan chair shook slightly, and my grandma’s voice came from outside.
"Beauty, it's time to get off the sedan."
Xie Hengwu responded softly, and as soon as she got off the sedan, she put on a timid and evasive look, with a soft and frail look, like a small white flower trembling slightly in the cold wind.
After seeing this place clearly, her heart sank slightly.
She recognized this place.
It's Changning Palace.
Why do they, mother and son, both have a soft spot for this dilapidated palace?
Xie Hengwu thought this, but he had a look of ignorance on his face. He looked up blankly at the plaque with faded handwriting, and then asked the nanny beside him: "Nanny, where is this?"
Mammy replied in her usual lukewarm tone: "Reporting to the beauty, this is Changning Palace, the empress's old residence. For the rest, the beauty doesn't need to ask any more questions."
Surprise and suspicion flashed across Xie Hengwu's face, but he was still looked at by his grandma.
"Mammy, the Queen Mother... why did you summon me here?"
Xie Hengwu asked cautiously, and saw the mother frowning: "How can I guess the Queen Mother's thoughts? The beauty went in and saw the queen, wouldn't she know it?"
As she said that, she gave Xie Hengwu a gentle push.
The small force caused Xie Hengwu to stumble.
Xie Hengwu Weiwei responded and walked inside first.
Behind her, grandma sneered silently and followed slowly in.
Sitting in the dilapidated main hall was a woman in gorgeous clothes, with a decadent beauty. It's as if a flower is in full bloom, and is as gorgeous as the moment before it decays.
This place must have been cleaned, and it doesn't look as dilapidated as it did last time.
When Xie Hengwu lowered his head to say hello, his eyes quickly passed under Empress Dowager Cui and found that there was another piece of white fox fur cushioned on the couch where the main seat was seated.
It seems that Queen Mother Cui also dislikes this place...
Not knowing what Empress Dowager Cui was thinking, Xie Hengwu bowed and then shut up and waited for Empress Dowager Cui to speak.
"What are you standing for? Sit down."
Xie Hengwu had already looked around and didn't want to sit in these long-abandoned seats.
"Empress Dowager, it's fine for me to just stand."
She was timid, as if she had suffered a lot of grievances.
Sure enough, Queen Mother Cui noticed something strange and said kindly, "If you have anything to say, just tell the Ai family."
As if she had poked a sore spot in Xie Hengwu's eyes, she buried her head lower.
"The Queen Mother, everything is fine with me."
This is almost like saying "I'm not good anywhere" right in the Queen Mother's face.
Empress Dowager Cui said seriously: "It has something to do with the emperor, right?"
As soon as he said this, Xie Hengwu's face was obviously startled, and then his shoulders trembled slightly, accompanied by sobs that were obviously suppressed but could not be held back.
"...The Queen Mother...Your Majesty...Your Majesty seems to have abandoned me..."
She sobbed in a low voice, mixed with panic, and her body swayed, as if she would fall to the ground soon.
"... Queen Mother, Your Majesty will kill me!"
